Pollinators

Have you heard the buzz? NC State is committed to protecting pollinators. From classrooms to research labs and in landscapes all over campus, Wolfpack students help protect pollinators through research, education, advocacy, habitat and even honeybee hives. These efforts include:

Pollinator Gardens: These are intentionally landscaped areas that include flowering plants native to North Carolina. To ensure health of pollinators, these areas are not treated with pesticides.
Other Pollinator Habitat: While not specifically designed as pollinator gardens, these areas also have important plant resources that are attractive to pollinators and contribute towards a healthy pollinator environment on campus.
Honeybee Hives: Hives are added to increase the number of beneficial pollinators on campus. Nationwide, pollinator decline over the past several years has accelerated. These managed campus hives boost the health of the campus ecosystem as well as the surrounding environment.
Academics and Research: NC State has many pollinator-related labs, academic programs and research facilities.
Student-Led Initiatives: Several student organizations are interested in and have missions related to pollinator maintenance and health, including Entomology Graduate Student ClubBeekeepers Club and Horticulture Club.

Bee Campus USA Commitments

Did you know that NC State is a certified Bee Campus USA affiliate? This initiative by the Xerces Society encourages campuses to make commitments to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides.

Our Goals:

  • Maintain an active Bee Campus USA committee involving staff, faculty, and students
  • Enhance and monitor pollinator habitat on campus, including increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nesting sites
  • Encourage gardening with our locally native plant species lists: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/gardening-plants/native-plant-resources/
  • Reduce the use of pesticides by adopting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan
  • Display educational signage and host service-learning events

How You Can Help:

According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation:

  • Pollinators are animals, especially insects, that transfer pollen from flower to flower, aiding in reproduction.
    • Examples include bats, birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, flies and wasps.
    • Bees, with over 20,000 species worldwide, are the most efficient pollinators.
  • Pollinators provide vital ecological services. They are responsible for…
    • Pollinating over 85% of the world’s flowering plants.
    • Pollinating two-thirds of the world’s crop species.
    • Contributing to over 30% of the foods and beverages we consume daily.
  • Pollinators are at risk of declining populations due to:
    • Habitat losses and lack of connectivity
    • Pesticide use
    • Climate change
    • Diseases
  • Fortunately, there are many things we can do to conserve pollinators in our own backyard!
  • Visit www.Xerces.org for additional information and resources
Credit: The Xerces Society for Pollinator Conservation

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